Omni-directional platform

Abstract

A personnel platform assembly and antenna support assembly for wireless communication transmitting and receiving devices such as antennas used in at least cellular telephone networks. The support assembly includes a support frame connectable upon an aerial tower which is adapted for supporting wireless communication transmitting and receiving devices thereupon. A connecting assembly is provided for fixing the support assembly at an above-ground elevation upon the aerial tower and a guide rail is suspended at a distance about the connecting assembly or central column of the tower. The guide rail is adapted for accepting a coupling to the wireless communication transmitting or receiving device and the coupling is continuously positionable along a length of the guide rail for accommodating variable positioning of the wireless communication transmitting or receiving device about the aerial tower. Suspension arms are connected as part of the connecting assembly between the guide rail and tower or its extension for suspending the guide rail thereabout. A plurality of substantially upright posts may be connected upon the guide rail at a lower end of each of the upright posts and each of the plurality of posts then be connected to a hand rail distally from the lower end. At least one optional floor deck panel establishes a platform for supporting installation and service personnel. The coupling is adapted to pivot about a substantially horizontal axis for accommodating down-tilt of a wireless communication transmitting or receiving device supported thereupon and the coupling is adapted for sliding movement along the guide rail thereby accommodating continuous operation of a wireless communication transmitting or receiving device during a repositioning procedure thereof.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows: 
     
       1. A support assembly for wireless communication transmitting and receiving devices, said support assembly comprising: a support frame connectable upon an aerial tower, said support frame adapted for supporting wireless communication transmitting and receiving devices thereupon;   a connecting assembly for fixing said support assembly at an above-ground elevation upon an aerial tower; and   a guide rail suspended at a distance about said connecting assembly, said guide rail being substantially circular in shape and adapted for accepting a coupling to a wireless communication transmitting or receiving device, said coupling being substantially continuously positionable along a length of said guide rail for accommodating variable positioning of the wireless communication transmitting or receiving device about an aerial tower.   
     
     
       2. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein said coupling is adapted to be releasably fixable upon said length of said guide rail. 
     
     
       3. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein said guide rail substantially encircles said connecting assembly. 
     
     
       4. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein said guide rail is constructed from tubular steel having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
       5. The invention as recited in claim 1, said support assembly further comprising: suspension arms connected between said connecting assembly and said guide rail for suspending said guide rail about said connecting assembly.   
     
     
       6. The invention as recited in claim 1, said support assembly further comprising: a plurality of substantially upright posts connected upon said guide rail at a lower end of each of said upright posts and each of said plurality of upright posts being connected to a hand rail distally from said lower end.   
     
     
       7. The invention as recited in claim 1, said support assembly further comprising: at least one floor deck panel establishing a platform for supporting personnel at said support assembly when said support assembly is suspended upon an aerial tower post.   
     
     
       8. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein said coupling is adapted to be positionally adjustable about a substantially horizontal axis for accommodating down-tilt of a wireless communication transmitting or receiving device supported thereupon. 
     
     
       9. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein said coupling is adapted for sliding movement along said guide rail thereby accommodating continuous operation of a wireless communication transmitting or receiving device during a repositioning procedure thereof. 
     
     
       10. The invention as recited in claim 1, said support assembly further comprising: a mounting flange adapted to be connectable with a mating flange fixed upon an aerial tower for installing said support assembly upon the aerial tower.   
     
     
       11. The invention as recited in claim 1, said support assembly further comprising: at least one hand-hold and at least one belt-off connector for releasable engagement by service personnel.   
     
     
       12. A support assembly for wireless telephone communication transmitting and receiving devices, said support assembly comprising: a guide rail suspendable about an aerial tower, said guide rail being substantially circular in configuration and adapted to surround a substantial entirety of an aerial tower when suspended thereupon; and   said guide rail being further adapted to accept a coupling to a wireless communication transmitting or receiving device along a substantial entirety of a length thereof for accommodating location of at least one wireless communication transmitting or receiving device at substantially any position about the aerial tower.   
     
     
       13. The invention as recited in claim 12, further comprising: a coupling to a wireless communication transmitting or receiving device mounted upon said guide rail and adapted to be positionally adjustable about a substantially horizontal axis for accommodating down-tilt of a wireless communication transmitting or receiving device supported upon said coupling.   
     
     
       14. The invention as recited in claim 13, wherein said coupling is adapted for sliding movement along said guide rail thereby accommodating continuous operation of a wireless communication transmitting or receiving device during a repositioning procedure thereof. 
     
     
       15. The invention as recited in claim 12, wherein said guide rail is configured to be substantially horizontally oriented when suspended upon an aerial tower.